Displaying images using progressive fade-in

ABSTRACT

The transition from the display of a first image to the display of a second image is accomplished by progressively fading-in from the first image to the second image. The second image is received sequentially in two or more sets of signals. As each set of second-image signals is received, a new display image is generated using the first image and all of the available signals for the second image. For each new display image, the weighting of the second-image signals increases relative to the weighting of the first-image signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to signal processing, and, in particular,to computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for encoding anddecoding image signals for progressive transmission and display.

2. Description of the Related Art

Still images and video images typically require large numbers of bits torepresent digitally, even using sophisticated compression techniques.The time required to transmit such images for display at a remotedestination, and therefore the time delay between display of successiveimages, may prove disturbing to the remote viewer. Using a conventionalprogressive transmission technique, such as those based on the wavelettransform, may prove computationally intensive and therefore timeconsuming.

It is desirable to provide encoding systems for generating, encoding,and transmitting image signals and decoding system for receiving,decoding, and displaying image signals that reduce the delay to theremote viewer. In particular, it is desirable to provide personalcomputer (PC) based conferencing systems that provide the capabilitiesfor efficient transmission of images from one conference participant toa remote conference participant over relatively low bandwidth media,such as a PSTN telephone line.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providecomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for efficientlygenerating, encoding, and transmitting image signals and methods,apparatuses, and systems for efficiently receiving, decoding, anddisplaying image signals.

It is a particular object that the present invention be applicable toPC-based conferencing systems.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a computer-implemented process and apparatusfor displaying images. According to a preferred embodiment, a firstdisplay image is displayed on a monitor, wherein the first display imageis a first image comprising first-image signals. A first set ofsecond-image signals corresponding to a second image is received and asecond display image is generated, comprising second-display-imagesignals, by applying a first function to the first-image signals and thefirst set of second-image signals, wherein the first function is basedon a first weighting scheme. The second display image is displayed. Asecond set of second-image signals corresponding to the second image isreceived and a third display image is generated, comprisingthird-display-image signals, by applying a second function to thefirst-image signals and the first and second sets of second-imagesignals, wherein the second function is based on a second weightingscheme. The first weighting scheme weights the first-image signals morethan the second weighting scheme weights the first-image signals. Thethird display image is displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment, the appended claims, and the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a computer-based encoding system for encoding image signals,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a computer-based decoding system for decoding the imagesignals encoded by the computer system of FIG. 1, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of the encoding processing implementedby the computer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of an example of spatialdecomposition for an image comprising 12 rows and 13 columns of (8×8)blocks;

FIG. 5 shows the zig-zag scan sequence used by the computer system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of the decoding processing implementedby the computer system of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of a two-dimensional bilinearinterpolation scheme, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention is directed to the encoding and decoding of imagesignals. The image signals are encoded for progressive transmission suchthat a receiver may decode the encoded signals as they are received anddisplay a coarse image before receiving all of the encoded signals. Asmore encoded signals are received and decoded, the coarse image isrepeatedly updated until a full-resolution image is displayed. The imageis also encoded with a spatial progression, whereby the displayed imageis updated in a spatial pattern that is based on one or more selectedlocations within the image.

System Hardware

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a computer-based encoding system100 for encoding image signals, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 102 of encodingsystem 100 receives analog image signals from an image source. The imagesource may be any suitable source of analog image signals such as astill or video camera or VCR for generating local analog image signalsor a cable or antenna for receiving analog image signals from a remotesource. A/D converter 102 decodes (i.e., separates the signal intoconstituent components) and digitizes each analog image into digitalimage component signals (e.g., in a preferred embodiment, Y, U, and Vcomponent signals).

Capture processor 104 receives, captures, and stores the digitizedcomponent signals as subsampled images in host memory 112 via bus 108,bus interface 110, and system bus 114. Each subsampled image isrepresented by a set of two-dimensional component planes or pixelbitmaps, one for each component of the digitized image signals. In apreferred embodiment, capture processor 104 captures image signals in aYUV9 or YUV4:1:1 format, in which every (4×4) block of pixels of the Ycomponent plane corresponds to a single pixel in the U component planeand a single pixel in the V component plane.

Host processor 116 accesses captured bitmaps from host memory 112 viasystem bus 114 and generates encoded image signals that represent one ormore of the captured images. Depending upon the particular encodingmethod implemented, host processor 116 applies a sequence of compressiontechniques to reduce the amount of data used to represent theinformation in each image. Host processor 116 stores the encoded imagesignals back to host memory 112 via system bus 114. Host processor 116may transmit the encoded image signals to transmitter 118 for real-timetransmission to a remote receiver (not shown in FIG. 1), store theencoded image signals to mass storage device 120 for future processing,or both.

In addition, display processor 122 may receive and process digital imagesignals for display in one or more windows on monitor 124. Displayprocessor 122 converts the digital image signals to analog imagesignals. The images displayed on monitor 124 may correspond, forexample, to raw captured images or companded images (i.e., the resultsof decoding the encoded images).

Referring now the FIG. 2, there is shown a computer-based decodingsystem 200 for decoding the image signals encoded by encoding system 100of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Encoded image signals are transmitted from either mass storage device212 or receiver 210 via system bus 206 for storage to host memory 214.Receiver 210 receives encoded image signals from a remote transmitter,such as transmitter 118 of FIG. 1.

Host processor 208 accesses the encoded image signals from host memory214 via system bus 206. Host processor 208 decodes the encoded imagesignals and stores the decoded image signals back to host memory 214.Decoding the encoded image signals involves undoing the compressionprocessing implemented by host processor 116 of encoding system 100 ofFIG. 1. The decoded image signals are then transmitted to displayprocessor 202 via system bus 206. Display processor 202 converts thedigital decoded image signals to analog image signals for display onmonitor 204.

Referring again to FIG. 1, encoding system 100 is preferably a generalmicroprocessor-based personal computer (PC) system with aspecial-purpose image capture plug-in board. In particular, A/Dconverter 102 may be any suitable means for decoding and digitizinganalog video image signals. Capture processor 104 may be any suitableprocessor for capturing digitized video image component signals assubsampled frames. Bus 108 may be any suitable digital signal transferdevice and is preferably a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.Alternatively, bus 108 may be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)bus or Extended ISA (EISA) bus. Bus interface 110 may be any suitablemeans for interfacing between bus 108 and system bus 114. In a preferredembodiment, A/D converter 102, capture processor 104, bus 108, and businterface 110 are contained in a single plug-in board, such as an Intel®Smart Video Recorder board, capable of being added to a generalmicroprocessor-based personal computer (PC) system.

Host processor 116 may be any suitable means for controlling theoperations of the special-purpose video processing board and ispreferably an Intel® general purpose processor such as an Intel® i386™,i486™, or Pentium™ processor. Host memory 112 may be any suitable memorydevice used in conjunction with host processor 116 and is preferably acombination of random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).System bus 114 may be any suitable digital signal transfer device and ispreferably a high-speed data bus such as a PCI bus. Mass storage device120 may be any suitable means for storing digital signals and ispreferably a computer hard drive. Transmitter 118 may be any suitablemeans for transmitting digital signals to a remote receiver and ispreferably a modem for transmitting digital signals over PSTN lines.Those skilled in the art will understand that the encoded image signalsmay be transmitted using any suitable means of transmission such astelephone line (PSTN or ISDN), RF antenna, local area network, or remotearea network.

Display processor 122 may be any suitable device for converting digitalimage signals to analog image signals and is preferably implementedthrough a personal computer (PC)-based display system such as a VGA orSVGA system. Monitor 204 may be any means for displaying analog imagesignals and is preferably a VGA monitor.

Referring now to FIG. 2, decoding system 200 is preferably a generalmicroprocessor-based personal computer (PC) system similar to the basicPC system of encoding system 100. In particular, host processor 208 maybe any suitable means for decoding and scaling encoded image signals andis preferably an Intel® general purpose processor such as an Intel®i386™, i486™, or Pentium® processor. Host memory 214 may be any suitablememory device used in conjunction with host processor 208 and ispreferably a combination of random access memory (RAM) and read-onlymemory (ROM).

System bus 206 may be any suitable digital signal transfer device and ispreferably a high-speed data bus such as a PCI bus. Mass storage device212 may be any suitable means for storing digital signals and ispreferably a CD-ROM device. Receiver 210 may be any suitable means forreceiving the digital signals transmitted by transmitter 118 of encodingsystem 100. Display processor 202 may be any suitable device forconverting digital image signals to analog image signals and ispreferably implemented through a personal computer (PC)-based displaysystem such as a VGA or SVGA system. Monitor 204 may be any means fordisplaying analog image signals and is preferably a VGA monitor.

In a preferred embodiment, encoding system 100 of FIG. 1 and decodingsystem 200 of FIG. 2 are two distinct computer systems. In analternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, a singlecomputer system comprising all of the different components of systems100 and 200 may be used to encoded and decoded video image signals.Those skilled in the art will understand that such a combined system maybe used to display decoded image signals in real-time during the captureand encoding of image signals to monitor the encoding processing.

Encoding Processing

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a process flow diagram of theencoding processing implemented by encoding system 100 of FIG. 1,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Encodingsystem 100 divides each component plane of a selected image into (8×8)blocks, transforms each block (preferably using the discrete cosinetransform (DCT)), and encodes the transformed signals using bothspectral decomposition and spatial decomposition.

Spectral decomposition refers to the encoding of selected transformcoefficients prior to other coefficients as well as to the encoding ofselected portions of individual coefficients prior to other portions ofthe same coefficients. For example, in a preferred embodiment thattransforms image signals using the DCT transform, encoding system 100encodes the DCT coefficients in four different levels. The first levelcomprises the DCT DC coefficient for each block of the image, the secondlevel comprises the two most significant bits (MSBs) of the DCT ACcoefficients for each block, the third level comprises the next two MSBsof the DCT AC coefficients, and the fourth level comprises the LSBs ofthe DCT AC coefficients.

In addition to spectral decomposition, encoding system 100 encodes thetransformed image signals using spatial decomposition. Spatialdecomposition refers to the encoding of signals corresponding to one ormore selected locations within an image prior to the encoding of signalscorresponding to other locations within the same image. In a preferredembodiment, spatial decomposition is applied in units of macroblocks,where a macroblock corresponds to a (32×32) pixel area of the image.Those skilled in the art will understand that, for an image representedin subsampled YUV9 format, a macroblock consists of 16 (8×8) blocks of Ycomponent signals, 1 (8×8) block of U component signals, and 1 (8×8)block of V component signals.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a graphical representation of anexample of spatial decomposition for a (384×416) image 400 comprising 12rows and 13 columns of (32×32) macroblocks. In the example of FIG. 4,when image 400 is selected for encoding, the location of the imagerepresented by macroblock row 7 and macroblock column 3 is selected(step 302 of FIG. 3). Encoding system 100 preferably encodes imagesignals for image 400 using a spatial progression based on the selectedlocation, where image signals for macroblock (7,3), as indicated byletter A, are encoded prior to image signals for the 8 macroblocksindicated by letter B, image signals for the 8 B macroblocks are encodedprior to image signals for the 16 C macroblocks, etc. For a givenmacroblock type, image signals may be encoded using a specified pattern,such a clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, the 8 B macroblocksmay be encoded starting with upper left macroblock (6,2) and proceedingclockwise to macroblock (6,3), etc. all the way around to macroblock(7,2).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spectraldecomposition and spatial decomposition of image 400 are combined in aninterleaved fashion, with a preferred sequence of encoding indicated inTable I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Encoding Sequence Using Both Spectral and Spatial                             Decomposition.                                                                PHASE  SIGNALS ENCODED                                                        ______________________________________                                        1      DC coeffs for all blocks (Level 1)                                     2      2 MSBs for AC coeffs of A macroblock (Level 2)                         3      2 MSBs for AC coeffs of B macroblocks (Level 2)                        4      2 MSBs for AC coeffs of C macroblocks (Level 2)                        5      Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of A macroblock                                     (Level 3)                                                              6      2 MSBs for AC coeffs of D macroblocks (Level 2)                        7      Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of B macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              8      2 MSBs for AC coeffs of E macroblocks (Level 2)                        9      Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of C macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              10     2 MSBs for AC coeffs of F macroblocks (Level 2)                        11     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of D macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              12     2 MSBs for AC coeffs of G macroblocks (Level 2)                        13     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of E macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              14     2 MSBs for AC coeffs of H macroblocks (Level 2)                        15     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of F macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              16     2 MSBs for AC coeffs of I macroblocks (Level 2)                        17     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of G macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              18     2 MSBs for AC coeffs of J macroblocks (Level 2)                        19     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of H macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              20     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of I macroblocks                                    (Level 3)                                                              21     Next 2 MSBs for AC coeffs of J macroblocks (Level 3)                   22     LSBs for AC coeffs of A macroblock (Level 4)                           23     LSBs for AC coeffs of B macroblocks (Level 4)                          24     LSBs for AC coeffs of C macroblocks (Level 4)                          25     LSBs for AC coeffs of D macroblocks (Level 4)                          26     LSBs for AC coeffs of E macroblocks (Level 4)                          27     LSBs for AC coeffs of F macroblocks (Level 4)                          28     LSBs for AC coeffs of G macroblocks (Level 4)                          29     LSBs for AC coeffs of H macroblocks (Level 4)                          30     LSBs for AC coeffs of I macroblocks (Level 4)                          31     LSBs for AC coeffs of J macroblocks (Level 4)                          ______________________________________                                    

Referring again to FIG. 3, each component plane of image 400 is dividedinto (8×8) blocks and each block is transformed using the DCT transform(step 304 of FIG. 3). According to Table I, the DC coefficients(Level 1) for all of the blocks are encoded first (phase 1 of Table Iand step 306 of FIG. 3). In a preferred embodiment, the DC coefficientsare intra-encoded to generate DC coefficient differences (e.g.,differences between DC coefficients for consecutive blocks following araster scan sequence). The DC coefficient differences are then quantizedto generate quantized DC coefficient differences. The quantized DCcoefficient differences for each component plane are then run-lengthencoded following a raster scan sequence to generate run-val pairs, eachrun-val pair consisting of (1) a run of quantized DC coefficientdifferences having a value of zero and (2) a value corresponding to anon-zero quantized DC coefficient difference. The run-val pairs are thenvariable-length encoded using one or more Huffman encoding tables. Theresulting variable-length encoded signals correspond to the data portionof the encoded bit stream representing the DC coefficients of the blockof the image.

The image is then divided into macroblocks, where each macroblockcomprises sixteen (8×8) blocks of the Y component plane, thecorresponding (8×8) block of the U component plane, and thecorresponding (8×8) block of the V component plane (step 308 of FIG. 3).The macroblocks are then encoded following a selected sequence thatcombines spectral decomposition and spatial decomposition, where theselected sequence is based (at least in part) on the location of theimage selected in step 302. In a preferred embodiment, the macroblocksare progressively encoded using three levels of spectral decomposition,where Levels 2 and 3 are interleaved (step 310) and Level 4 follows thecompletion of Levels 2 and 3 (step 312). As indicated above, Level 1refers to the encoding of the DC coefficients.

In a preferred embodiment, in Level 2, the two MSBs of the DCT ACcoefficients for each macroblock are encoded. In Level 3, the next twoMSBs of the AC coefficients for each macroblock are encoded. In Level 4,the LSBs of the AC coefficients for each macroblock are encoded.

Referring again to Table I, in phases 2-4, the 2 MSBs for the ACcoefficients (i.e., Level 2 signals) of the A macroblock, the eight Bmacroblocks, and the sixteen C macroblocks, respectively, are encoded.In phase 5, the next 2 MSBs for the AC coefficients (Level 3) for the Ablock are encoded. In phases 6-19, processing similar to phases 4 and 5is repeated for different sets of macroblocks. After phase 18, all ofthe Level 2 data are encoded. Phases 20 and 21 complete the encoding ofthe Level 3 data. Phases 2-21 of Table I correspond to step 310 of FIG.3 with Levels 2 and 3 interleaved. In phases 22-31, the LSBs for the ACcoefficients (Level 4) are sequentially encoded from the A macroblock(phase 22) to the twelve J blocks (step 31) (step 312 of FIG. 3). Afterphase 31, the encoding of all 64 DCT coefficients of each block of eachmacroblock of image 400 is complete.

Like the DC coefficients, the selected bits of the AC coefficients foreach level may be encoded using a combination of encoding techniquessuch as quantization, run-length encoding, and variable-length orentropy encoding. For example, in Level 2, the two MSBs of the ACcoefficients for each block of a macroblock may be encoded by quantizingthe AC coefficients to retain only the two MSBs of the quantized ACcoefficients. In general, the bits of the AC coefficients for a givenlevel may be extracted by quantizing the AC coefficients usingappropriate quantization values and taking into account the bits thatwere previously encoded for those coefficients. In a preferredembodiment, the quantization values are integer powers of 2 to permitmore efficient division by shifting bits.

In a preferred embodiment, the different sets of AC coefficient bits areselected by rounding the AC coefficients to the appropriate nearestvalue. For example, for 8-bit AC coefficients, the two MSBs may beselected by adding 32 to the AC coefficients and shifting the resultright six bits (i.e., dividing by 64). The resulting two MSBs are theninterpreted by the decoding system as corresponding to one of the values32, 96, 160, and 224. Analogous processing is performed to select thenext two MSBs which are interpreted by the decoding system ascorresponding to one of the values-32, -16, 0, and +16.

In an alternative embodiment, the different sets of AC coefficient bitsare selected by truncating the AC coefficients. For example, for 8-bitAC coefficients, the two MSBs may be selected by shifting the ACcoefficient right six bits. In this case, the resulting two MSBs areinterpreted by the decoding system as corresponding to one of the values0, 64, 128, and 192. Analogous processing may be performed to select thenext two MSBs which are interpreted by the decoding system ascorresponding to one of the values 0, 16, 32, and 48.

The selected bits of the AC coefficients may then be run-length encodedto generate run-val pairs. Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown agraphical representation of the zig-zag scan sequence used to ran-lengthencode the specified bits of the DCT AC coefficients, where 0 representsthe position of the DCT DC coefficient and 1-63 represent the positionsof the 63 DCT AC coefficients. Those skilled in the art will understandthat alternative scan sequences may also be used. The run-val pairs arethen preferably variable-length encoded using one or more specifiedHuffman tables.

When the image signals are being encoded for real-time transmission forremote display, for example, on decoding system 200 of FIG. 2, theencoded signals are preferably transmitted as soon as, or very soonafter, they are encoded. The image signals are encoded in units ofmacroblocks (i.e., each encoded macroblock comprises the encoded Y, U,and V component signals corresponding to a (32×32) region of the image).

The encoded signals are grouped into packets of data. In a preferredembodiment, each packet comprises an integer number of encodedmacroblocks and a maximum packet size (e.g., 2000 bytes) is specified.In this case, each packet contains as many whole encoded macroblocks aspossible while remaining less than or equal to the maximum packet size.Since the sizes of the encoded macroblocks vary depending upon thedegree of compression attained for the different macroblocks, the numberof macroblocks per packet may vary from packet to packet.

In alternative embodiments, every packet has the same specified packetsize. If each packet contains only an integer number of macroblocks,then packets are preferably padded out to the specified packet size asnecessary. Alternatively, if packets are allowed to contain partialmacroblocks, then the beginning and end of each packet may correspond topartial macroblocks and no padding is required.

Since each packet of data comprises the encoded Y, U, and V componentsignals for the same region of the image, the decoder is able to decodeand update the display independently for each encoded region. In apreferred embodiment, the encoded bit stream contains explicitinformation about the spatial decomposition so that the decoder knowswhere the data belongs in the decoded image.

Decoding Processing

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a process flow diagram of thedecoding processing implemented by decoding system 200 of FIG. 2,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Decodingsystem 200 receives the encoded signals for an image (e.g., image 400 ofFIG. 4), where the image has been encoded using the spectraldecomposition and spatial decomposition of encoding system 100 of FIG. 1as described in the previous section of this specification. Decodingsystem 200 decodes the encoded signals as they are received and displaysthe decoded signals as they are decoded. The result is the display of aninitial, possibly low-quality coarse decoded image which is updated overtime as more and more encoded signals are received and decoded.

In particular, decoding system 200 first receives one or more datapackets containing the encoded DCT DC coefficients (Level 1) (step 602of FIG. 6). Decoding system 200 decodes the DC coefficients (step 604)and displays a coarse image based on those decoded DC coefficients (step606). Meanwhile (or soon after), decoding system 200 begins to receive asequence of data packets comprising encoded macroblocks for thedifferent levels of the spectral decomposition of the AC coefficients.As each data packet is received (step 608), the encoded macroblocks aredecoded (step 610) and the image display is updated (step 612). Steps608, 610, and 612 are repeated until all of the data packetscorresponding to all of the bits of the AC coefficients are processed(step 614).

The initial image, which is based on only the decoded DC coefficients,is preferably displayed all at once. Each update to the display,however, is preferably made to one or more (but fewer than all)macroblocks of the image. As a result, the image is gradually updated ina spectral and spatial progression that follows a pattern, such as thatshown in FIG. 4 for image 400 and listed in Table I.

The result is that the viewer is presented after a relatively shortdelay with a display of a coarse image that is at least an approximationof the original image. The quality of the displayed image is thenprogressively improved, wherein the sequence with which differentregions of the image are updated is based on the one or more locationsthat were selected when the image was encoded. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the selection of the most important one or morelocations of an image provides the viewer with a display that presentsthe most important information in an efficient and timely manner.

The DC coefficient for each image block corresponds to the average ofthe component values for that block. After decoding system 200 receivesand decodes the DC coefficients for an image, decoding system 200 couldreplicate each DC coefficient for all 64 pixels of the correspondingblock to display a blocky image. In a preferred embodiment, however,decoding system 200 performs a two-dimensional bi-linear interpolationscheme using the DC coefficients to generate a blurred image fordisplay. The blurred image may more closely approximate thefull-resolution image than the blocky image that would result frommerely replicating the DC coefficient within each block.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a graphical representation of atwo-dimensional bilinear interpolation scheme, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows four (8×8) blocks:blocks (i,j), (i+1,j), (i,j+1), and (i+1,j+1). Decoding system 200decodes the encoded Level 1 signals to generate DC DCT coefficientsD(i,j), D(i+1,j), D(i,j+1), and D(i+1,j+1) corresponding to these fourblocks. Decoding system 100 treats each DC DCT coefficient as the valueat the center of each (8×8) block, where the center of the (8×8) blockdoes not correspond to a particular pixel, but rather to a positionbetween the four central pixels of the block.

Decoding system 200 interpolates horizontally between D(i,j) andD(i+1,j) to generate eight different Y values. Decoding system 200 alsointerpolates horizontally between D(i+1,j) and D(i+1,j+1) to generateeight different Z values. Like the four D values, the eight Y and eightZ values do not correspond to particular pixels.

Decoding system 200 then interpolates vertically between each Y valueand its corresponding Z value (i.e., the Z value in the same column) togenerate eight different X values, where the X values do correspond tothe pixel component values of the blurred image.

To perform both the horizontal and vertical interpolations, decodingsystem 200 preferably determines an incremental change based on theoverall change between the end point values. For example, wheninterpolating horizontally between D(i,j) and D(i+1,j), decoding system200 generates an incremental change I using the following equation:

    I=[D(i+1,j)-D(i,j)]/ 16.

The interpolated values are then generated using the incremental changeI, which is equivalent to half the change between the interpolated pixelcomponent values. Thus, for example, for column 4:

    Y(4)=D(i,j)+I

and, for column 5:

    Y(5)=Y(4)+2*I.

This interpolation processing is repeated for each set of four DCcoefficients that correspond to each (2×2) set of four blocks togenerate the blurred image. For those blocks lying at the edge of theimage, the corresponding interpolation increments may be used toextrapolate those pixels that lie in the outer four columns and fourrows of the image.

In alternative embodiments, decoding system 200 may apply higher orderinterpolation schemes such as those based on quadratic, cubic, or splineinterpolation.

In alternative embodiments, the four DC coefficients D(i,j), D(i+1,j),D(i,j+1), and D(i+1,j+1) may be assumed to correspond to particularpixels rather than to the centers of the (8×8) blocks. For example, inFIG. 7, each DC coefficient may be used as the value for pixel (3,3) ofthe corresponding (8×8) block. Those skilled in the art will understandthat, in such case, the two-dimensional interpolation scheme will beslightly different and potentially more efficient.

As decoding system 200 receives bits corresponding to the ACcoefficients, the inverse transform may be applied to the newly receivedbits and the results added to the previously generated pixels to updatethe pixel values. Alternatively, the newly received bits may be combinedwith the previously received DCT coefficients and the inverse transformmay be applied to the updated DCT coefficients to generate updated pixelvalues. When motion compensation is performed, the latter method may bepreferable to reduce memory usage.

Alternative Embodiments

In addition to the embodiment disclosed above, there are numerousalternative embodiments that fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

The disclosed embodiment of Table I is based on the DCT transform. Othertransforms, such as the slant transform, the Haar transform, and theHadamard transform, may also be used.

The spatial decomposition of the disclosed embodiment was based on theselection of a single location within the selected image. Otherpreferred embodiments may be based on the selection of two or morelocations or even the selection of one or more regions of the image.

In a preferred embodiment, an operator of encoding system 100 of FIG. 1uses a computer mouse to select one or more image locations while theimage is displayed on local monitor 124. The spatial decompositionpattern used to encode the image is then based on the one or moreselected image locations. In an alternative preferred embodiment,encoding system 100 may be designed to select the one or more imagelocations adaptively and automatically (i.e., without direct operatorassistance). For example, when used in a teleconferencing system,encoding system 100 may perform image recognition processing to locateautomatically the centers of human faces in the images. The locations ofthe centers of the human faces may then be selected for the spatialdecomposition patterns used to encode the images.

In another alternative embodiment, the user of the decoding system maychange the selection of the image location used for spatialdecomposition. In this embodiment, there is two-way real-timecommunication between the encoding system and the decoding system. Theinitial selection of the image location for spatial decomposition ismade at the encoding system and the initial sets of image datatransmitted from the encoding system to the decoding system aregenerated using spatial and spectral decomposition based on the initialselected location.

Before all of the image data is transmitted, however, the user of thedecoding system may change the selection of the image location. Forexample, based on the display of the partial image data at the decodingsystem, the user may use the mouse to select a different location ofinterest. The new selected location is transmitted from the decodingsystem to the encoding system, which then uses the new selected locationto complete the spatial and spectral decomposition of the image. Thatis, the rest of the image data is transmitted from the encoding systemto the decoding system using spatial and spectral decomposition based onthe new selected location. At the decoding system, the rest of theupdates to the displayed image will follow a pattern based on the newselected location, thereby improving the quality of the image based onthe user's selected location of interest.

In the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 4, the spatial decomposition wasbased on concentric squares of blocks surrounding the selected imagelocation. In alternative embodiments, spatial decomposition may be basedon other criteria, such as geometric distance from the selected imagelocation.

The spectral decomposition of the disclosed embodiment of Table I usesfour levels to encode the image signals, where the second and thirdlevels are interleaved. Other preferred embodiments may use fewer thanfour or more than four levels. The levels may have different numbers ofbits associated with them. Moreover, the interleaving of levels may bechanged or even eliminated.

In the disclosed embodiment, each level in the spectral decompositioncomprises a fixed number of bits from each of the 63 AC coefficients ofeach block of each macroblock (i.e., Levels 2 and 3 encode 2 bits eachand Level 4 encodes the LSBs). In an alternative preferred embodiment,quantization tables may be used to select different numbers of bits foreach of the AC coefficients in each of the different levels in thespectral decomposition, where a different quantization table is definedfor each encoding level.

For example, a quantization table may be defined such that Level 2comprises the 2 MSBs for each of the 30 low-frequency AC coefficientsand the 3 MSBs for each of the 33 high-frequency AC coefficients.Moreover, these quantization tables may be defined such that differentnumbers of overall bits are encoded for different AC coefficients. Forexample, the quantization tables may be defined such that Levels 2-4together encode the 8 MSBs of the lowest frequency AC coefficient, whilethe 10 MSBs of the highest frequency AC coefficient are encoded.

Furthermore, different sets of quantization tables associated withdifferent quantization levels may be defined as part of a bit ratecontroller that can be used to tune the encoding processing to theencoding bandwidth, transmission bandwidth, and/or decoding bandwidthavailable in the current system. Such a system may be tuned to optimizethe time at which detail becomes visible and to control the time delaybetween updates at the decoder.

The bit rate controller may adaptively select the quantization tables orquantization levels based on the image content. For example, for a flatimage (i.e., an image with relatively low spatial contrast), it may bedesirable to transmit more bits for Level 2 than for a busy image (i.e.,an image with relatively high spatial contrast). The bit rate controllermay quantify the image content using a selected measure (e.g., pixelvariance) and select the quantization levels accordingly.

In another alternative embodiment, the AC coefficients may be ordered bymagnitude for transmission. In such an embodiment, the ordering may needto be explicitly encoded into the transmitted bit stream.

In general, encoding system 100 of FIG. 1 may be designed such that thespatial and spectral decomposition patterns are programmable. Thespatial and spectral decomposition patterns may be driven by parameters,that may include, but are not limited to, the number of levels in thespectral decomposition, the degree of interleaving of levels in thespectral decomposition, the numbers of bits per level in the spectraldecomposition, the number of locations selected in the image for spatialdecomposition, and the geometric progression of the spatialdecomposition.

The spectral decomposition of the disclosed embodiment was based onsending all of the DC coefficients followed by levels that compriseparts (i.e., specified numbers of bits) of all of the AC coefficients.Alternative preferred embodiments may employ different types of spectraldecomposition. For example, in an alternative embodiment, Level 1 maycomprise the DC coefficients (coefficient 0 of FIG. 5), Level 2 maycomprise all of the bits for only three low-frequency AC coefficients(coefficients 1, 2, and 4 of FIG. 5), Level 3 may comprise all of thebits for only twelve AC coefficients (coefficients 3, 5-9, 11-23, 17,18, and 24 of FIG. 5), and Level 4 may comprise all of the bits for therest of the AC coefficients.

In the disclosed embodiment, the DC and AC coefficients are generated byapplying a DCT transform to each (8×8) block. Since the DC coefficientsare the average of the 64 pixel components in a block, the DCcoefficients may be generated directly by averaging the pixelcomponents. The AC coefficients may be generated by applying the DCTtransform as in the disclosed embodiment. This may result in fastergeneration of DC coefficients and therefore a shorter time delay beforethe initial coarse image is displayed at the decoder.

In the disclosed embodiment, the DC coefficients are encoded byvariable-length encoding the quantized differences. In alternativeembodiments, an additional transform may be applied to the DCcoefficients for further encoding. The additional transform may be a DCTor slant transform, but is preferably a lossless transform, such as aHaar or Hadamard transform. For example, a Haar transform may be appliedto (2×2) blocks of DC coefficients. The results of this additionaltransformation may also be arranged hierarchically using either spectraldecomposition or spatial decomposition or both.

In the disclosed embodiment, the DC coefficients are encoded asdifferences with respect to an adjacent DC coefficient within the image.In alternative embodiments, each DC coefficient may be intra-encodedbased on a difference with respect to two or more adjacent DCcoefficients within the image. For example, referring again to FIG. 7,the DC coefficient D(i+1,j+1) may be encoded as the difference value:

    D(i+1,j+1)-{[D(i,j+1)+D(i+1,j)]/2}.

That is, the difference value used to encode each DC coefficient is thedifference between the DC coefficient and the average of two adjacent DCcoefficients. The DC coefficients for those blocks at the top edge orleft edge of the image may be treated as special cases (e.g., usingspecified values such as 128 in the difference computation for D(i,j+1)or D(i+1,j)). The DC coefficient difference values may then be furtherencoded using run-length encoding and variable-length encoding.

In the disclosed embodiment, the encoded signals are transmitted inreal-time to the remote decoder for real-time decoding and display. Inalternative embodiments, the encoded signals may be stored to a storagedevice. A decoder may then access the encoded signals from the same orsimilar storage device for non-real-time display of the images. In apreferred embodiment, the decoder may be used to browse through adatabase library of images, where the operator may choose to terminatethe display of a particular image in real time before all of the levelsof encoded signals are decoded and displayed.

In the disclosed embodiment, the initial image displayed by the decoderis a blurred image generated by interpolating between the DCcoefficients. In an alternative embodiment, the encoder also generatesthe blurred image and then uses that blurred image to encode theoriginal image. For example, the encoder may (1) generate the disclosedLevel 1 data from the DC coefficients, (2) generate the same blurredimage as the decoder using the decoded DC coefficients, (3) generate adifference image between the original image and the blurred image, and(4) transform the difference image to encode the other levels of datausing spectral and spatial decomposition. In this case, corrections tothe DC coefficients may need to be included in the higher level data.

For the encoded AC signals, the decoder may update the display invarious ways. For example, the decoder may update the display after eachmacroblock of encoded AC signals is decoded. Alternatively, the decodermay decode a specified number of macroblocks before updating thedisplay. In another alternative embodiment, the decoder may update theimage display after each data packet is decoded, where different datapackets may contain different integer numbers of macroblocks.

The disclosed embodiment involves the encoding, transmission, decoding,and display of still images. In alternative embodiments, the encodingand decoding systems may be designed to encode, transmit, decode, anddisplay motion video images. In such a way, the systems may be used forvideo conferencing applications. When processing video image signals,encoding system 100 may generate the interframe differences between DCTcoefficients for successive frames and applies spectral and spatialdecomposition to those DCT differences. The process of updating thedisplay of a particular frame may be terminated before the image isfully decoded if, for example, encoded signals for the next frame beginto be received at the decoder.

When displaying successive images, either for still images or motionvideo images, decoding system 200 may apply a progressive fade-intechnique. In a preferred embodiment, the progressive fade-in involvesgenerating the pixel components for an image to be displayed(P_(display)) using the pixel components for the old (i.e., previous)image (P_(old)) and the available pixel components for the new (i.e.,current) image (P_(new)), such that:

    P.sub.display =F*P.sub.new+ (1-F)*P.sub.old

where F is a function representing the blending fraction for the newimage. In general, the function F defines a blending profile thatcharacterizes the progression of the fade-in from the old image to thenew image. In a preferred embodiment, the blending function F increasesas each level of encoded data is received by the decoder. Thus, as thenew image becomes more and more complete based on the spectral andspatial progressions, more and more of the new image is used in thedisplay. For still images, the progressive fade-in may be more pleasingto the viewer. For motion video images, the progressive fade-in may helpsimulate motion between successive images and smooth the transitionassociated with scene changes.

It will be further understood that various changes in the details,materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described andillustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the principle andscope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented process for displayingimages, comprising the steps of:(a) displaying a first display image ona monitor, wherein the first display image is a first image comprisingfirst-image signals; (b) receiving a first set of second-image signalscorresponding to a second image; (c) generating a second display image,comprising second-display-image signals, by applying a first function tothe first-image signals and the first set of second-image signals,wherein the first function is based on a first weighting scheme; (d)displaying the second display image; (e) receiving a second set ofsecond-image signals corresponding to the second image; (f) generating athird display image, comprising third-display-image signals, by applyinga second function to the first-image signals and the first and secondsets of second-image signals, wherein:the second function is based on asecond weighting scheme; and the first weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals more than the second weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals; and (g) displaying the third display image.
 2. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein:the first set of second-image signalscomprises DC transformed signals corresponding to the second image; andthe second set of second-image signals comprises AC transformed signalscorresponding to the second image.
 3. The process of claim 2,wherein:the first set of second-image signals comprises DC DCTcoefficients corresponding to the second image; and the second set ofsecond-image signals comprises AC DCT coefficients corresponding to thesecond image.
 4. The process of claim 2, further comprising the stepsof:(h) receiving a third set of second-image signals corresponding tothe second image; (i) generating a fourth display image, comprisingfourth-display-image signals, by applying a third function to thefirst-image signals and the first, second, and third sets ofsecond-image signals, wherein:the third function is based on a thirdweighting scheme; and the second weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals more than the third weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals; and (j) displaying the fourth display image.
 5. Theprocess of claim 4, wherein:the second set of second-image signalscomprises a first set of bits of AC transformed signals corresponding tothe second image; and the third set of second-image signals comprises asecond set of bits of AC transformed signals corresponding to the secondimage.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein:the first set of second-imagesignals comprises a first set of bits of AC transformed signalscorresponding to the second image; and the second set of second-imagesignals comprises a second set of bits of AC transformed signalscorresponding to the second image.
 7. The process of claim 6,wherein:the first set of second-image signals comprises a first set ofbits of AC DCT coefficients corresponding to the second image; and thesecond set of second-image signals comprises a second set of bits of ACDCT coefficients corresponding to the second image.
 8. The process ofclaim 1, wherein:the first function comprises a first weighted averageof the first-image signals and the first set of second-image signals;and the second function comprises a second weighted average of thefirst-image signals and the first and second sets of second-imagesignals, whereby the second weighted average weights the second-imagesignals more than the first weighted average weights the second-imagesignals.
 9. An apparatus for displaying images, comprising:(a) means fordisplaying a first display image on a monitor, wherein the first displayimage is a first image comprising first-image signals; (b) means forreceiving a first set of second-image signals corresponding to a secondimage; (c) means for generating a second display image, comprisingsecond-display-image signals, by applying a first function to thefirst-image signals and the first set of second-image signals, whereinthe first function is based on a first weighting scheme; (d) means fordisplaying the second display image; (e) means for receiving a secondset of second-image signals corresponding to the second image; (f) meansfor generating a third display image, comprising third-display-imagesignals, by applying a second function to the first-image signals andthe first and second sets of second-image signals, wherein:the secondfunction is based on a second weighting scheme; and the first weightingscheme weights the first-image signals more than the second weightingscheme weights the first-image signals; and (g) means for displaying thethird display image.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:the first setof second-image signals comprises DC transformed signals correspondingto the second image; and the second set of second-image signalscomprises AC transformed signals corresponding to the second image. 11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:the first set of second-image signalscomprises DC DCT coefficients corresponding to the second image; and thesecond set of second-image signals comprises AC DCT coefficientscorresponding to the second image.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10,further comprising:(h) means for receiving a third set of second-imagesignals corresponding to the second image; (i) means for generating afourth display image, comprising fourth-display-image signals, byapplying a third function to the first-image signals and the first,second, and third sets of second-image signals, wherein:the thirdfunction is based on a third weighting scheme; and the second weightingscheme weights the first-image signals more than the third weightingscheme weights the first-image signals; and (j) means for displaying thefourth display image.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:the secondset of second-image signals comprises a first set of bits of ACtransformed signals corresponding to the second image; and the third setof second-image signals comprises a second set of bits of AC transformedsignals corresponding to the second image.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein:the first set of second-image signals comprises a first set ofbits of AC transformed signals corresponding to the second image; andthe second set of second-image signals comprises a second set of bits ofAC transformed signals corresponding to the second image.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein:the first set of second-image signalscomprises a first set of bits of AC DCT coefficients corresponding tothe second image; and the second set of second-image signals comprises asecond set of bits of AC DCT coefficients corresponding to the secondimage.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:the first functioncomprises a first weighted average of the first-image signals and thefirst set of second-image signals; and the second function comprises asecond weighted average of the first-image signals and the first andsecond sets of second-image signals, whereby the second weighted averageweights the second-image signals more than the first weighted averageweights the second-image signals.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe apparatus is electrically connected to a bus and the bus iselectrically connected to a memory device.
 18. An apparatus fordisplaying images, comprising:an image generator; and a displaysubsystem, wherein: the display subsystem displays a first display imageon a monitor, wherein the first display image is a first imagecomprising first-image signals; the image generator receives a first setof second-image signals corresponding to a second image; the imagegenerator generates a second display image, comprisingsecond-display-image signals, by applying a first function to thefirst-image signals and the first set of second-image signals, whereinthe first function is based on a first weighting scheme; the displaysubsystem displays the second display image; the image generatorreceives a second set of second-image signals corresponding to thesecond image; the image generator generates a third display image,comprising third-display-image signals, by applying a second function tothe first-image signals and the first and second sets of second-imagesignals, wherein:the second function is based on a second weightingscheme; and the first weighting scheme weights the first-image signalsmore than the second weighting scheme weights the first-image signals;and the display subsystem displays the third display image.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein:the first set of second-image signalscomprises DC transformed signals corresponding to the second image; andthe second set of second-image signals comprises AC transformed signalscorresponding to the second image.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein:the first set of second-image signals comprises DC DCTcoefficients corresponding to the second image; and the second set ofsecond-image signals comprises AC DCT coefficients corresponding to thesecond image.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:the image generatorreceives a third set of second-image signals corresponding to the secondimage; the image generator generates a fourth display image, comprisingfourth-display-image signals, by applying a third function to thefirst-image signals and the first, second, and third sets ofsecond-image signals, wherein:the third function is based on a thirdweighting scheme; and the second weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals more than the third weighting scheme weights thefirst-image signals; and the display subsystem displays the fourthdisplay image.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein:the second set ofsecond-image signals comprises a first set of bits of AC transformedsignals corresponding to the second image; and the third set ofsecond-image signals comprises a second set of bits of AC transformedsignals corresponding to the second image.
 23. The apparatus of claim18, wherein:the first set of second-image signals comprises a first setof bits of AC transformed signals corresponding to the second image; andthe second set of second-image signals comprises a second set of bits ofAC transformed signals corresponding to the second image.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein:the first set of second-image signalscomprises a first set of bits of AC DCT coefficients corresponding tothe second image; and the second set of second-image signals comprises asecond set of bits of AC DCT coefficients corresponding to the secondimage.
 25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:the first functioncomprises a first weighted average of the first-image signals and thefirst set of second-image signals; and the second function comprises asecond weighted average of the first-image signals and the first andsecond sets of second-image signals, whereby the second weighted averageweights the second-image signals more than the first weighted averageweights the second-image signals.